Bears Overcome Turnovers to Top Cowgirls, 65-58

STILLWATER, Oklahoma — The No. 5 Baylor women’s basketball team (22-5, 12-3) did just enough to beat the Oklahoma State Cowgirls 65-58 (8-16, 3-12) on an icy night in the sooner state.

The Bears struggled with 19 turnovers converted into 26 points and they allowed 20 fastbreak points. However, Sarah Andrews helped her team through with some big baskets on her way to 17 points.

NaLyssa Smith was as dominant as ever with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Queen Egbo grabbed 13 points and 6 boards.

The turnovers were spread pretty evenly across all Bears and all quarters with 6 players losing possession 3 times each.

The game started poorly for the Bears, with the Cowgirls jumping out to a 9-2 lead while Baylor shot just 1-8 from the field.

Baylor Athletics

The shooting woes did not persist for the Bears as they went on an 18-2 run from the end of the first quarter into the second quarter. The high-water mark in the half came as Oklahoma State slowed Baylor’s run with the lead at 11, 32-21.

It did feel like the Cowgirls were hanging around with the halftime lead at 34-25 though.

The Bears came out and kept turning the ball over in the third period, allowing Oklahoma State to cut the lead to 1 point at 44-43 with 2:08 left in the quarter. That was part of a 13-2 run for the Pokes.

About the struggles coach Collen said, “We had more turnovers tonight than our last three games combined. It was definitely an eye-opener for the team”.

With the game in the balance, Sarah Andrews stepped up and knocked down a pair of threes to help make it a nice 7-0 run for the Bears to regain control.

“Our ATO plays were great,” said coach Collen of the offense tonight, “I thought we executed at a high, high level. It was little stretches of different players making big plays.”

In the final frame, the Cowgirls made one last push to cut the deficit to 4 at 54-50 with 6:16 left, but the Bears ground it out. NaLyssa Smith made a couple of buckets, then Queen Egbo scored a pair, and the Bears made it to the finish with another conference win.

Baylor Athletics

A couple of things to note:

• Ja’Mee Asberry netted 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in a solid effort returning to Gallagher-Iba Arena after transferring last offseason.
• Jordan Lewis played in her 157th career collegiate basketball game, tying an NCAA record.

Hopefully, those two experienced players will help the team get off to a better start Saturday afternoon in Waco when the Kansas Jayhawks come to town. That game will tip-off at 2 PM CT and will be available on ESPN+.